International Cricket Star Kieran Powell To Become First In Sport To Transition Into Professional Baseball

NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- West Indies international cricketer, Kieran Powell has announced his intentions to become the first cricketer to join Major League Baseball for this upcoming season. The Saint Kitts and Nevis native will hold his official Scout Tryout day on January 13 at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. It will be an exclusive, invitation-only event, where Powell will demonstrate his talents on the field and at bat.

Dubbed by many as a young star of the West Indies international cricket team, the 6'2" left-handed opening batsman has proven that he has natural athleticism and plenty of baseball potential. Powell has a powerful batting ability, speed and sharp hand-eye coordination, making him a valuable asset on the field. Powell's leadership skills have also been recognized by many who watched him lead the West Indies A team to victory against rival India's A team.

The renowned IMG Academy, which holistically grooms and trains athletes, arranged an intensive program to see Powell transition into a professional baseball player in advance of his exclusive MLB Scout Tryout Day debut. Jack Voigt, the New York Mets triple A Hitting Coach and Ryan Jackson, the Cincinnati Reds Hitting Coordinator, have been mentoring Powell, impressed with his determination and work ethic.

Powell has piqued the interest of some of the biggest Major League Baseball teams in the United States and has been approached by some of the game's leading scouts, including Mike Tosar, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who first spotted Powell's remarkable capabilities.

"Some of the greatest athletes of our time are known for being two-sport athletes. From Deion Sanders to Bo Jackson, to, most recently, Jimmy Graham and Jarryd Hayne, these guys have set the bar for how you can successfully play two different sports," says Powell. "Cricket will always be my first love, but I am ready to prove to the MLB that my skills and ability will be a great fit to any team."

For media inquiries or if you would like to attend Powell's tryout, please contact Jordan Bieber at 212-999-5585 or jbieber@5wpr.com.